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Last week, the Senate Intelligence Committee passed a version of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2016 (S. 1705) that would create a new “duty to report” apparent “terrorist activity” for providers of electronic communication services, which include online content hosts, internet service providers, and public libraries and coffee shops that offer WiFi access. The ramifications of this provision, which was introduced through a secret, closed-door committee process, are immense.

Yes, after numerous requests (I swear!), CDT is launching its own podcast, Tech Talk. Each week, Tech Talk will feature two segments on important, interesting, unique, and sometimes disturbing trends in the tech and internet policy space. We’ll go beyond headlines, while not going too deep into the weeds or getting lost in the labyrinth of acronyms that so often overtakes productive conversation.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) released its long-anticipated final decision in the case of Delfi AS v. Estonia. The case concerned the liability of Delfi, an online news publisher, for defamatory comments left by users in the comment section of one of its articles.

“Encryption and anonymity provide individuals and groups with a zone of privacy online to hold opinions and exercise freedom of expression without arbitrary and unlawful interference or attacks.” This is the message that the UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, delivered to the UN Human Rights Council today.

A bill that would shield online speakers from meritless lawsuits was introduced this month in the House with bipartisan support. The SPEAK FREE Act seeks to create legal protections for those who speak out on a controversial issue, report on potential misconduct, or post a negative comment or review online. We hope to see the SPEAK FREE Act become law, and it is garnering strong support from other free expression advocates and online communities alike.

The tech industry recently rallying together to support America’s LGBT community means far more than just protecting business. It is also an important reminder of the profound impact that technology and the Internet have on the lives of minority, marginalized, and repressed communities, including the diverse LGBT community.

This week, member governments of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) meet in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, for their 5th annual Conference. The overarching theme for the 2015 meeting is “Internet Policy Making – Best Practices for Promoting Online Freedoms” and is billed as an opportunity for governments, private sector, and civil society to discuss the threats to freedom online and the opportunities to protect and promote “fundamental freedoms and human rights.”

This week, the California Senate and the City of San Francisco are contemplating changes to the laws governing short-term rentals, which allow for individuals to host guests in their homes, using platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. We have serious concerns about the implications of these proposals, specifically on how they will affect individual privacy, security, and free speech.

Today, the Senate is set to vote on the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Unfortunately, part of the deal to move the bill forward appears to include a version of the SAVE Act which will amend existing federal anti-trafficking law in vague ways that will be used to prosecute online content hosts for third-party content.

A misguided copyright enforcement bill in Florida is threatening online anonymity. This week, the state legislature is considering the “True Origins of Digital Goods Act,” which would essentially make it unlawful for a website operator to remain anonymous if her site includes a substantial amount of embedded music or video. Anyone who runs a music blog or features video clips on her website would be required by law to disclose her name, address, and telephone number on the site.